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Eryops

Eryops was a common, primitive amphibian that lived in swamps during the Permian period. This meat-eater had a stout body with very wide ribs, a strong spine, four short, strong legs, a short tail, and a wide, elongated skull with many sharp teeth in strong jaws. Its teeth had enamel with a folded pattern. Eryops was about 5 feet (1.5 m) long, one of the largest land animals of its time.

Diet
Eryops was a fierce predator on land and in the water; it may have eaten mostly fish, small reptiles and amphibians.

Predators
Eryops was one of the largest land animals of its time, but the faster-moving Dimetrodon may have preyed upon it on land. The primitive shark Orthacanthus may have hunted it in the water.

Locomotion
Eryops may have been slow moving on land, but was perhaps faster in the water. Some scientists have suggested that Eryops may not have been able to run.

Habitat
Eryops was a swamp dweller. Like all amphibians, Eryops had to live near the water since amphibian eggs have no shells and must be laid in the water (or in very damp areas) or they will dry out and die. Also, it lost its gills as an adult.

When Eryops Lived
Eryops lived during the Permian period (roughly 270 million years ago), long before the dinosaurs evolved.